Design of biodegradable soil moisture sensor powered by bacteria charged paper batteries
S.M. Meshram (TU Delft - Water Resources)
N.C. van de Giesen – Promotor (TU Delft - Water Systems Monitoring & Modelling)
S. Pande – Copromotor (TU Delft - Surface and Groundwater Hydrology)
L. Jourdin – Copromotor (TU Delft - BT/Bioprocess Engineering)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
There is currently considerable global attention on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly in developing countries, through the adoption of sustainable water and soil management practices. This focus stems from the challenges these farmers encounter, including unpredictable rainfall, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and limited access to essential agricultural technical equipment. Among various technical tools, soil moisture sensors are pivotal as they provide farmers with information on soil moisture levels, thereby facilitating the efficient use of water. However, existing sensors are often costly, unsustainable, and challenging to use in off-grid regions where most of these farms are situated. This study aims to develop low-cost, biodegradable, off-grid soil moisture sensing systems (SMSSs) for smallholder farmers of developing countries. It seeks to address the hypothesis that soil moisture sensors can be directly powered by electricity generated from the soil through soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) technology, utilizing the bacteria present in the soil, with current production being directly proportional to the soil moisture.
The development of low-cost, biodegradable, off-grid SMSSs using soil moisture sensors for smallholder farmers represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture. Integrating SMFC to power these sensors address multiple challenges simultaneously. It not only provides farmers with crucial soil moisture data but also eliminates the need for external power sources, making it particularly suitable for remote and off-grid locations. It also provides uninterrupted power supply as it uses naturally available bacteria from soil. The biodegradable nature of these sensors aligns with environmental sustainability goals, reducing electronic waste and minimizing the ecological footprint of agricultural practices. Furthermore, it has the potential to revolutionize water management practices in smallholder farming. By providing soil moisture data, farmers can make informed decisions about irrigation, optimizing water usage and potentially increasing crop yields. This technology could improve water use efficiency, also the low-cost nature of these sensors makes it accessible to a broader range of farmers, potentially democratizing access to advanced agricultural technologies in developing regions......